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Best Pop Synthwave Songs of 2018

It was an amazing year for pop synthwave music, as artists continued to blend the ‘80s nostalgia of synthwave with contemporary mainstream influences, wrapping up their vocal-driven creations in tidy pop packages with mass appeal.

In addition to the Top 10 Pop Synthwave Albums of 2018, there was also a wealth of pop-flavored synthwave singles released from up-and-coming artists. In fact, there were nearly enough standalone tracks released in the style this year to represent the subgenre (and the closely related sounds of dreamwave) entirely on their own. Dozens of artists threw their hat in the ring, often with surprisingly excellent results, and hidden gems in the style seemed to hide around every corner.

In many cases, these songs are from new and emerging artists who have not yet released a full album, and the quality of their early singles points toward an extremely strong release forecast for this music in 2019.

(As always, the decision to give these songs their own list is rooted in a firm belief in the importance of music genres. You can also read more about pop synthwave music here.)

2018 had its share of quality breakup tunes, though none approached the subject with more maturity and a more intriguing mix of emotions than The Bad Dreamers’ “How to Disappear.” Like nearly every entry on the outstanding Songs About People Including Myself, the track wraps its humbly poetic lyrics in a unique blend of genres and production techniques for a relentlessly compelling creation.

If there was one song in 2018 that perfectly embodied the mix of synthwave and modern pop music, it’s Star Cassette’s “Summer Nights.” This defining effort pairs mainstream effects with a relaxed vocal performance that is the music equivalent of a cool evening breeze.

One of Kinnie Lane’s many notable efforts in 2018, “Virtual Game” offers a pure pop synthwave track with one of the most unique and memorable vocal performances of the year. Few entries on this list improve across repeat listens more than this innovative jewel.

New Arcades’ influences from alt rock and pop punk put a welcome spin on their approach to the genre. Their Nothing is Lost EP was solid from start to finish, and “We Can’t Turn Back” provides one of the most addictive chorus melodies of the year.

Moonrunner83’s Streets was one of the best surprises of the year, and some of the EP’s most enjoyable entries feature multi-talented Megan McDuffee on the microphone. “Among the Stars” feels custom-made for fans of The Midnight and Timecop1983 with its dreamy, hook-heavy style.

10. Le Matos, Computer Magic – “Cold Summer”

Perhaps the only song on this list that is reasonably classifiable as synthpop, the horror-tinged atmosphere on “Cold Summer” works perfectly with its reserved vocal performance, creating one of the most subtly engaging tracks of the year.

With two full-length albums to their name in 2018, Wolf Club single-handedly released an entire mixtape worth of great tracks. “Summer Lights” is at the top of the list with its infectious rhythm and bouyant vocal delivery, a combination that made it a sleeper hit in 2018.

Kinnie Lane was seemingly everywhere in 2018, releasing quality tracks under her own name and teaming up with an array of producers for one of the best single-artist contributions of the entire year. Her collab with Bomarz is a splendid mix of genuinely retro ‘80s pop with modern mainstream influences, and their hidden gem “San Francisco” provides just one more piece of evidence for how deep and rich the vein of pop synthwave ore was in 2018.

Backed by impeccably understated dreamwave instrumentation, “Come Back” holds one of the most heartfelt and serenely beautiful vocal performances of the year. The pared-down songwriting puts full emphasis on the melodies and lyrics, offering an open-handed breakup track that feels like it could draw water from a stone. “Come Back” was just one of several quality creations from up-and-comers Bunny X in 2018.

This patiently attractive effort was one of the best hidden gems that populated the retro synth world in 2018. Despite the newness of the artists to the style, Artemesis and Sunnie Williams bring “Drive” to life with a quietly poetic delivery and introspective lyrics that make it an irresistible and style-defining entry in the pop synthwave canon.

Honorable Mentions

We’re down to the Top 5, but before we go any further, here are a few honorable mentions that just missed the list.

Shifting from funk and rock-driven tracks on 2016’s Feel the Night EP, Gryff delivered a slice of pop gold on the relentlessly catchy synth-powered gem, “Jessie.” Listening to the hook-heavy chorus and soulful sax solo, it’s easy to understand why the song has racked up accolades since its release, including first place in r/outrun’s dreamwave competition.

The star vocalist of FM-84’s superb Atlas album broke out on his own this year, delivering multiple singles that prove the artist has the songwriting chops to back up his pitch-perfect vocal performances. Ollie Wride is currently one the most talented vocalists in any part of the broader synthwave genre, and his reimagining of retro pop possibilities represent one of the most ground-breaking and ambitious efforts of the year.

“Control” is the first single released by Michael Oakley since his sleeper hit California EP, and it’s clear the artist has stepped up every part of his game in the time between. Peerless production quality, a humbly attractive vocal performance, and truly inspired background touches mark “Control” as a titan of forward-thinking synthwave music.

Nina’s Sleepwalking was one of the finest pop-flavored synthwave albums of the year, and the artist capped off 2018 with an incredible new single powered by solid production, a faultless vocal performance, and deceptively subtle instrumentation. A succinct but perfectly placed guitar solo adds the final touch to one of the most professionally made and creatively inspired synthwave tracks of the year.

A fulfillment of The Midnight’s great songwriting potential, “America 2” blends soft rock, folk, and dreamwave influences in a vibrant mix of modern and retro, stamping it with the duo’s signature production style. The melodies are nothing short of sublime, and the vocal lead carries the music so effortlessly that the song’s four minutes feel like they pass in seconds. Put it on repeat and leave it — “America 2” is the best pop synthwave track of the year.